Different ways: RUHR.2010

Visitors will come up against a decentralised urban conurbation, with a large and, at first sight, somewhat confusing network of roads, railways and other traffic arteries – a polycentric urban topography offering challenging new experiences instead of the usual comfortable run-of-the-mill facilities.
The Ruhr Metropolis can offer you a huge variety of different impressions. In the first place it is a dense topography full of bustling towns and cities. But it also covers an unexpectedly large area for a "classical" metropolis. It is precisely these sort of contradictions that makes the Ruhr Metropolis – one of the most heavily populated, and yet spacious, areas in Europe – so attractive.
All this demands careful planning not only with regard to timetables but places. "Where is what? What roads lead where, and back again? How can I experience as much of the Ruhr Metropolis as possible along my chosen route?"
11 independent urban authorities, 4 district authorities and a total of 53 cities, towns and villages covering an area of ca. 4,435 km² means heavy traffic and highly frequented motorways. In 2007 alone, more than 13,000 traffic jams were registered on the main motorway artery, the A40, alone. A more efficient and less stressful alternative to the motor car is to travel the area on the region's public transport system.

On the following pages you find information about local public transport, timetables and information about moving around by bike or boat.